Joey Walsh Set to Start as Manly’s Halfback
Joey Walsh will continue as Manly’s starting halfback in their upcoming match against Brisbane, following Jamal Fogarty’s failure to recover from a groin injury in time for the game. The decision comes as the Broncos prepare to welcome back veteran playmaker Ben Hunt, who has returned from a knee injury ahead of Saturday’s clash at Brookvale Oval.
Walsh, rated as Manly’s top halves prospect in a generation, made a strong debut in last week’s close loss to ladder-leading Penrith. Now, he faces the challenge of helping the seventh-placed Sea Eagles counter Reece Walsh and the reigning premiers.
“I just want him to do exactly what he did last week,” said Manly’s interim coach Kieran Foran. “I thought he was outstanding. For a 19-year-old to come in up against Penrith especially, and play the way in which he did, just speaks volumes of the sort of character and player Joey is. I don’t want him to change anything.”
Foran remains confident that Fogarty’s injury, sustained late in the round-eight win over Parramatta, is not a long-term issue. “He was touch-and-go,” Foran said. “We felt it was best for Jamal to give him another week. He just wasn’t quite 100 per cent. They can be tricky, those groin injuries, and it’s only round 10. We don’t want to further injure him.”
Hunt had initially been expected to miss up to eight weeks with his knee injury but returns after five weeks to face Manly. Broncos coach Michael Maguire insists there is no risk in bringing the 36-year-old back early for the depleted Broncos, who have 11 players unavailable against Manly.
“He’s ticked all the boxes,” said Maguire, who will push Tom Duffy out of the starting side. “Physios, doctors, everyone’s happy with him and he’s trained really well.”
Emotional Tribute for Jake Trbojevic
Manly held an emotional tribute for Jake Trbojevic on the field at Brookvale Oval on Friday morning ahead of the veteran forward’s 250th game. The eldest Trbojevic has enjoyed a solid five weeks since Foran replaced Anthony Seibold as coach and is currently captaining the side in the absence of his injured brother Tom.
Foran started at five-eighth for Trbojevic’s NRL debut in 2013 and now rates the 32-year-old among the best defenders he has ever seen. “When you talk about some of the best defensive players of the NRL, of all time, you often refer to Trevor Gillmeister and guys like that that were tough as nails and could chop blokes down,” Foran said. “I put Jake in that category. Jake has been a once in a lifetime defender and anyone that’s played alongside him values it enormously.”
Trbojevic is yet to trigger a contract option to remain with the Sea Eagles beyond this season, but is leaning towards continuing. A series of concussions threw his playing future into doubt last year, and the passionate clubman is wary of outstaying his welcome.
The Sea Eagles had initially set round 10 as the deadline for Trbojevic to reach a decision on his future, but are now prepared to give the veteran more time. “At the end of the day, Jake will do what’s best for the club. That’s what he’s done his entire career,” Foran said. “From the club’s point of view, we’d love him to go around (again), but he’s got to make that decision.”
